Storage Requirements | Maryland Concealed Carry

Maryland Firearm Storage Requirements

Statutory Requirement: Safe Storage of Loaded Firearms

Under Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Article 4, Section 104 (CR § 4-104), Maryland law imposes specific storage requirements for firearms in the home:

• It is unlawful for any person to store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised child would gain access to the firearm.
• Under the statute, a "child" is defined as an individual under 16 years of age.
• A "firearm" includes but is not limited to a handgun, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun.

Exceptions

The storage requirement under CR § 4-104 does not apply if:

1. The child's access to a firearm is supervised by an individual at least 18 years old;
2. The child's access to a firearm was obtained as a result of an unlawful entry;
3. The firearm is in the possession or control of a law enforcement officer while the officer is engaged in official duties; or
4. The child has a certificate of firearm and hunter safety issued under § 10-301.1 of the Natural Resources Article.

Key Points for Concealed Carry Permit Holders

• The storage law applies to all persons, not just concealed carry permit holders specifically
• The law specifically addresses loaded firearms — the prohibition is triggered when a loaded firearm is stored or left where an unsupervised child could access it
• The law focuses on the knowledge element — the person must have known or should have known that an unsupervised child would gain access

Note: The sections below reference statutes and guidance not included in the verified source material. They are included for informational reference but should be independently verified.

Transporting Firearms (Related Storage/Carrying Considerations)

While not strictly "storage," Maryland law imposes requirements on how firearms must be kept when being transported, which is relevant to concealed carry permit holders:

• When transporting (without a Wear and Carry Permit), handguns must generally be:
  • Unloaded
  • In an enclosed case or enclosed holster
  • With ammunition separate from the handgun
• Transport is only permitted between specific locations as listed in Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 (CR § 4-203)

Note: The transportation requirements above are based on CR § 4-203, which was not included in the verified source material for this review. Readers should consult the statute directly for authoritative details.

Interstate Transport

Per 18 U.S.C. § 926A, when transporting firearms interstate:

• The firearm must be unloaded
• Neither the firearm nor ammunition may be readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment
• If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm or ammunition must be in a locked compartment other than the glove compartment or console

Note: The interstate transport requirements above are based on 18 U.S.C. § 926A, which was not included in the verified source material for this review. Readers should consult the federal statute directly for authoritative details.

Statutory References